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Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Jamie's on the left, Chelsea's on the right. This tutorial does not include the flap designs, alas.

As promised, here is the basic bag tutorial like the one I made Jamie and Chelsea. I have not included the flap designs, just the basic bag. That will have to be another post. Be creative and come up with your own flap variations. Then show me! Jamie's was applique only, and Chelsea's was a combo of piecing and applique. I have another one to sew up for my sister Lori's birthday and I'm going to do some patchwork this time.

I considered doing a PDF of the pattern pieces, but they are mostly too big to fit on letter sized paper, and pretty easy to make yourself if you have a ruler, a 6.5 inch circle, and a coffee cup on hand. The coffee cup is to hold some hot coffee. Obviously.

Click on the image below to see or print a larger diagram for measurements. This is not to scale.

YARDAGE: Assuming the width is 45 inches, you'll need about a yard each of the outside and the liner, plus your interfacing if you are using it.

1/4 INCH SEAM ALLOWANCE IS INCLUDED IN THE MEASUREMENTS. If you are more comfortable with a larger seam allowance, be sure to add that when you draw your pattern.

Draw and cut out all your paper pattern pieces. Draw a rectangle for the flap, then use a 6.5 inch circle to trace the curved corners on the flap. I have an obliging embroidery hoop that is just the right size.

Now trace and cut out your fabric.

NOTE: If your main fabric is not a heavy, purse-worthy weight you should consider adding a fairly stiff fusible interfacing on the strap, outside body, and outside flap pieces. Cut out the interfacing in the same size as those pieces, and iron it on according to the manufacturer's instructions. But remember, you are going to have to turn this bag through a 5 inch hole, so the interfacing shouldn't be too stiff for that.

NOTE YET AGAIN: Even if I don't specifically mention it below, you'll be of course pressing and finishing your seams in your preferred method for each step.1) Strap. Press it in half, right sides together, longwise so you have a 2 x 45 inch piece. Sew it closed along the long edge. Turn it right side out (use a hugemongous safety pin like I do to help with this. Or if you have a fancy tube-turner, by all means, get that thing in action). Press, then edgestitch down both sides. So now you have a lovely strap with raw ends.

2)Outside Pocket. Align the outside pocket pieces right sides together and sew all around, leaving a couple inches open on the bottom side to turn it. Snip the corners. Turn and press. Pin it to the right side of the body piece, centered side to side and about 3 inches down from what will be the top of the bag. Edgestitch it on the sides and bottom, leaving the top open (obviously) and backstitching at the beginning and end to reinforce.

3) Inside Pocket. Now do the same thing to assemble your inside pocket, but pin it to the right side of the body lining fabric, centered from side to side and about 4 inches down from what will be the top of the bag. Edgestitch it on the sides and bottom, leaving the top open and backstitching at the beginning and end to reinforce. Then stitch again down the center from top to bottom to create two little pockets.

4) Flap. Now is the time to do all your embellishing of the flap on the outside piece BEFORE YOU SEW THE FLAP TOGETHER.

(Musical interlude while this creative wave crashes over you.)

Once your outside flap piece is appliqued or pieced or whatevered, you are ready to proceed.5) Align the (fabulous) flap outside and lining pieces right sides together. Sew all around, leaving a 3 or 4 inch gap in the middle of the top edge for turning and backstitching at beginning and end. Snip the corners and clip the curves. Turn it and press, turning under the unsewn seam. Edgestitch all the way around. Now you have a lovely finished, but disembodied, bag flap.

6) Lay the flap down right side up on the right side of the body piece (same end as where your pocket is), centered side to side and about 1.5 inches from the top edge. Edgestitch following your previous stitches, then stitch again about a quarter inch from the edge, reinforcing at each end.

7) The Body. Fold the body piece in half, right sides together, so you have a 14 x 12.5 inch rectangle, with the flap tucked inside and out of the way. Pin and sew up both sides.

Finger press or press the bag flat so you have a line that goes down the center of the bottom of the bag. It's just a guideline. You are going to square the corners so your bag has a flat bottom. Heh. Pick it up, bring the side seams together at the top and lay it back down with a corner pulled out and flattened so it looks like a triangle (see drawing below), with the side seam going down the middle of the triangle and lined up with the guideline you pressed in the center of the bottom of the bag. Pin it to keep all that in place and use a ruler to draw an air soluble line at 3 inches across the width, then sew it securely. Now repeat this step with the other corner and also with your lining piece. You can trim off the excess corner or fold it under and tack it to add body to the bottom of the bag.

8) Now is the time to test the strap length. Turn the body right side out with the flap in place. Pin the strap in place on both sides of the bag, centered with the side seams, and with a 3/4 inch overlap. Sling it over your shoulder diagonally across your body. Sashay to a mirror and make any adjustments in strap length so the bag falls in a comfortable place on your opposite hip. Unpin and trim your strap to the new length, being sure to include the 3/4 inch overlap. Now baste your strap on the right side of the body upside down, centered with the side seams, and with the ends sticking out over thetop 1/4 inch. (Make sure the strap is not twisted! Because that would be really embarrassing later. Ahem.)

9) Now you need to put the body and the lining right sides together. So turn the lining right side in, and then stuff the body inside that one so that their right sides are facing each other. I like my inside pocket to be on the same side of the bag as the outside pocket, but that is just me. The flap and strap will be stuffed down in between the two layers, so just tuck them in and smooth them down the inside so they stay out of the way of the stitching. Pin the body and lining together at the top, lining up the side seams and the raw edges. The strap ends will be sticking up out of both sides.

10) Sew the body and lining together, reinforcing over the straps, and leaving about 4 or 5 inches open in the center of the flap side for turning. Make sure you backstitch at the beginning and end really well. Turning this stiff fabric puts a lot of stress on your backstitches. Turn your creation and then stuff the lining down inside the bag. Wow. Now it looks like a real bag!

11) Press the seam around the top, rolling it between your fingers to get it as close to the stitching as you can. Press under the seam allowance on the opening. Edgestitch all the way around the top of the bag (don't catch the flap in your stitches. Ahem.). You'll probably need to press the rest of the bag too, because after wrestling it through the hole it tends to look crumpled all over.

This is such a helpful tutorial. My hubby has been begging for a laptop bag for his tiny new laptop. I'm a bag newbie though, and have been scared to try! Thanks so much. He's getting a back for his b=day this week!Sara in Salt Lake Cityibbyskibby.com

Sara, just a suggestion for a laptop bag, add plenty of cushion, like a double layer of batting or something, and a snap or velcro closure to prevent spills. You may need to adjust the dimensions also.

I didn't get online yesterday but I did sew. I made a little bag for my toddler that's meant to be worn across the body like the MB. I was pondering adding the strap in a diagonal fashion when I suddenly remembered your bag and boxed the bottom and added the strap to the sides instead. Which I like much better, diagonaly placed straps irritate me! Thanks for setting this all out. I'll probably apply it to creating a mommy bag.

Wow... OMG... this is great!!!! I really liked it.. so hands on.. I had to translate everything in spanish so it could be easier for me to follow your tutorial, it did not take me too long, so I'm going to start right now with my new project.. :) Thanks....

just made two of the bags for my older girls for Christmas and i am so pleased! they turned out great and it was well worth staying up until 12:30 last night to finish. thanks for the awesome tute, it was so easy to follow and i very much appreciated the funny comments to keep me going as my eyes started to cross. can wait to try your other projects, thanks!

Thanks so much for the instructions. Just made this for my 12 year old who was wanting a messenger bag for Christmas. I couldn't seem to find the right one but, I had the right fabric. I am such the last minute seamstress. This was so fun to make. I think I am going to make a couple of these for the birthday gift box. :)

Y'all, I have gotten so many thank you notes from you sweet people for this pattern. I love seeing the bags you make, and thanks for your comments! I'm so glad the pattern was the source of so many handmade Christmas gifts.

Love it, love it! Like everyone else has said, thank you so much for posting this! I had previously made an Amy Butler messenger bag, but it took much longer than I really wanted. I found yours and the simplicity made it perfect! I just finished my first bag (peek herel) and it turned out fantastic! Thanks again!

The coffee bag messenger is done! I lined it with some blue nylon and did the pocket out of a old pair of jeans. The strap is a 2" webbing from the army-navy store: exactly 45". So it's not exact to the pattern, but all the notes really helped me get it all together! here it is! http://thebigboat.blogspot.com/2010/01/messenger-bag.html

I want a non-store bought messenger bag and did a search in my reader. I found your tutorial through thelongthread's Top 100 Tutorial's post. I am so excited to try it out!! Also, going to stay a while and look around :)

Thank you! Excellent instruction... clearly you are quite the seamstress and artist! I made a feeble attempt (I just started sewing a few months ago) if you'd like to see: http://lumasolem.blogspot.com/2010/02/new-pattern-messenger-bag.html

Thank you so much for this...I am on my third one! Your instructions are so clear. I made one a little larger from my daughter who is traveling to Egypt soon for her master's degree. The entire class is really jealous of her bag including the guys! I really appreciate your humor and the pattern for free!!! I am a retired Home Ec teacher (30 years) and wish I had this when I was teaching. You are a doll!

Thank you so much for posting this pattern! I've been looking for a simple messenger-bag pattern for years, and I threw yours together inside of a week--even though I designed my flap from scratch! I love my new bag so much, I'm going to make a bigger version to hold my teaching supplies! Thank you!

I wanted to thank you again for this tute. I wound up making 5 for Christmas presents and one for myself. I'll be making others for myself soon as well. I've also modified this a bit to make a laptop bag for my brother. So many, many thanks!

I was searching the internet for the perfect messenger bag and was having problems finding just what I wanted so I decided to see what I could find if I looked for patterns. I found this AMAZING tutorial. I had been planning on buying a sewing machine for a while, so I went and bought one this weekend and made TWO of these bags...this is only the second sewing project I've done...I must say that your tutorial was phenomenal. Even a beginner like myself could follow it!

Thank you SO much! I have all my friends wanting me to make them bags like this now! Haha, guess I better get to work!

sorry to be commenting so late, this was so long ago... ive been looking for a good "how to" guide to make a messenger bag for ages... thanks so much! i was going to rip apart a few pairs of jeans to make this and sew the pieces together... i think it would look cool. Thanks!

Have just found your tutorial and can't wait to try it as it looks fantastic. I want to make it as a dolly nappy bag for my two year old and am wondering what the maths is for the main body piece as I think I might need to make it smaller! Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you so much! I'm 12 and me and my mum have spent the afternoon sewing this up- I can't wait to use it as a school bag! :) The best thing is, no one else is going to have anything like it! :D Thank you sooooo much!!!!

Hi there, I have *just* finished making my 6 year old son a messenger bag using your tutorial. I'm a newbie sewer and have used your pattern to make 3 bags with variations (2 worked, 1 didn't!). The newbie mistake I made this time is that the wadding I used to pad it was way too thick! Made sewing the lining a mission :oP

Thank you so much for having this tutorial available, and for such clear and concise directions! It was my first sewing project and the fact that it was so simple to read, quick to sew, and produced great results is definitely a confidence booster! :o)

I have been hunting around all week for the perfect, easy pattern. It needed to have depth, but I didn't want to put a side piece in. This is the one! The directions are easy and completely clear. Thanks a bunch!I want to find some antique brass rings (about 2 inches) to hook the strap to the bag. I may not even do the flap, who knows? You saved me.

Hi LarissaThanks for sharing your pattern. I've never made a bag before and haven't sewn much but I found your pattern easy to follow. The only problem was that the link to the tutorial on how to square the corners didn't work, maybe that site has taken it down?You can see a picture of my bag here http://twitpic.com/2pv8mfI also used the colourful material I used for the flap as a lining, and it looks awesome.Thanks againKate

Kate, thanks for the heads up about the link. Her blog is still up, but the link is broken. I can't find the tute at the moment, but I'll see if I can and post an updated link.And, I love your bag. Especially the flair. :-)

Hello! I just started my own blog and since I also just finished my second messenger bag (using this tutorial) I decided to talk about it and I, of course, linked back to you and gave you credit. Just thought I would let you know. Thank you for the great tute!!

Used your pattern to make the messenger bag for my Granddaughter for Halloween - she was Coraline, the only adjustment I made was to make it reversable with a snazzy liner. It came out beautifully. So glad I found your blog - Thank you so much for the detailed information!

Ummm, I haven't even gotten to the dirty details of the tutorial yet and I LOVE you!!!! hahaha. You're totally cracking me up...now I shall waste this entire Sunday morning reading this and digging around in my craft hole under the stairs to see if I have everything I need. Now that's inspiration! If you knew what my craft hole looked like you would be ecstatic that you've caused this! :D So thank you for a perfect Sunday morning, coffee in hand. :)

wow, folks. Almost 100 comments from happy messenger bag makers. Love to see your bags and read your comments. Tyia, I think humor is a necessary component of crafting--it keeps me from going around the bend.

I love this, I'm sooo making one but I've got the problem is I don't know how to do the squaring of the corner and can't find the tutorial on the other page. Any chance you could just put a little bit up about it for us?

Just found this messenger bag via Yahoo search! I need to make a laptop bag for my new toy and here you were! This seems soooo easy... It'll take me a couple of days bu when I get this done I'll post a pic! Thanks!

Thanks so much for this! I want to make a messenger bag for this coming school year, and this is exactly what I need! I'm bran new to the concept of sewing (the only sewing I've ever done is Grade 6 home-ec), but I've got a good old sewing machine that belonged to my aunt. Any advice for a newbie?

I started making this bag for my daughter LAST year and kind of forgot about it, then was able to finish it up tonight for the first day of school tomorrow!! I've decided it's also the perfect pattern to use to make my son an "Indiana Jones bag" for his birthday next month! Thank you so much for the free pattern!!

I don't know if I'd call it fabulous, but it's definitely a bag. And my 6-year old thinks it's stupendous, so that is good.I am a terrible seamstress and this was just the right level of easy-hard for me to feel confident, but challenged. I have another daughter, so I will have another go at it. Practice makes better! (if not perfect).

Thank you for the wonderful tutorial. I linked to your blog after I stitched up my own messenger bag at http://underthemulberrytree.squarespace.com/suzannes-craft-journal/2011/9/27/autumn-inspired-purse.html

Hi, I'm a novice sewer and came across your fab tutorial while doing a search for messenger bag how-tos :) I was reading through the insructions, and the only thing that confuses me is, how does the bag lining get all nice and neat on the inside (read: stitched up)? Some facets ofwas sewing seem like magic to me, and maybe this is one of those things? :)

Hi, Amyliza! The magic part with the lining happens in steps 9 and 10 when you stuff the bag and strap inside the lining and sew them together around the top except for the opening. Then when you turn the bag right side out and stuff the lining inside it, you have a nice finished edge. Additionally you will also top stitch around the top edge to close the opening and give it a nice finish around the top. Does that make more sense?

Larissa, thanks for the clarification. I made the bag last night (or should I say early this morning? ;), and actually doing it helped me to understand what I couldn't visualize when I was reading through the tutorial. It's such a cute bag-- the one I just made is going to be a gift, but I think I'm going make one for myself as well! Thanks for sharing...

I've had your bags filed away in the back of my mind for a few months, and had the perfect fabric to finally make one this weekend!http://aameliahandmade.blogspot.com/2012/02/weekend-project-girls-messenger-bag.html

Thank you so much for posting this, Larissa! I used this tutorial to make a cute messenger bag for my 3 year old son. He is thrilled with it...I added a zipper closure to keep his treasures safely inside. Thanks again for making the instructions so easy to follow, the diagrams definitely helped. I have never sewn a bag before, but it still came out great! :)

I posted some photos of my messenger bag on the flickr group, including the measurements I used to size it down for my three year old, as well as some pointers on adding a zipper closure. http://www.flickr.com/photos/lambarina/7045885663/in/pool-1035154@N20/

I just wanted to take a minute to thank you for taking the time to create this tutorial. I used it to make myself a bag for my birthday in March and have since made several more bags in various sizes using what I learned from it. It is in valuable to me! I have not posted all of them on my blog (I am working on it) but I this is the one I made for my birthday (http://followgram.me/i/147899103815357544_4085212) and I will add the others to my blog and link to this post. ANYWAY, thank you, thank you, thank you!! :o) Tina

I have been looking for a messenger bag to make for an upcoming trip because I can't find one I like in the stores. I am looking forward to working on this starting tomorrow. Thanks for the inspiration, and information. Great blog!

I will be making one for myself to carry through the airport this week. I promise to send a picture, since mine will be awesome, of course. I have made a messenger bag before, but I conveniently don't have that pattern here.

hi,great looking tutorial! I'm going to get started tomorrow, but I have a question: does the lining get attached anywhere except the top edge? are there any problems with it not staying snugged down nicely at the bottom of the bag inside? thanks!

I've just made this lovely little bag (again) from your pattern but with shorter strap and flaps for my five year old granddaughter.....looks great in blue. Thanks once again for a great tutorial....easy to follow :-)

I needed a gift for a teenage girl at the last minute and remembered this bag. Came out awesome and was surprisingly easy with your clear directions. Now if the teenage girl in question likes the fabrics.... I'm Auntie of the year!!!! Thanks!

Thank you, thank you, thank you for this wonderful pattern and tutorial. I followed it last night and made my very first bag...and loved the process so much! Your directions and illustrations were clear and I'm happy to report I didn't need to rip out one seam! (A feat for me!:)) You can see the post I wrote about it here. http://www.harbourbreezehome.com/2013/04/diy-messenger-bag/I put your picture and credited your blog. I hope that's ok?

Hello Larissa,thanks for the fab tutorial. I made my own bag and thought you might like to see the result http://craftybissums.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/a-quick-messenger-bag.html I linked back to your blog so hopefully more folks will get crafting and make their own!Cheers,Cat

Thank you so much for such a wonderful tutorial. My 13 and 10 year old daughters have recently started sewing up a storm. I gave my eldest a fully equipped sewing room for her birthday this year. We have depended upon the kindness of experienced sewers posting free tutorials to learn techniques. It has taught both them and me a whole new set of skills. This tutorial has been our favorite and the clearest and most concise one to follow. I just want to thank you for your efforts. I appreciate your time and effort.

Hey there, "Unknown". :-)Thanks so much for taking the time to give feedback about the pattern. I have benefited so much myself from various free tutorials, I was happy to pay it forward. I'm so glad you could use it! And wow, what a fantastic gift for her birthday!

Hi, Joy! When you pin them together, you should not be able to see the right side of either one. The outer layer will the the wrong side of the lining, and the inner layer will be the wrong side of the outer fabric. Does that make sense? Look at the diagram in step ten, and imagine all that you see there is the wrong sides of the fabric. You will turn both the outside and the lining through the hole that you leave and you'll end up with the right sides of both, then you'll stuff the lining down inside the bag. HTH!

Thank you so much for sharing this! I'm new to sewing and I found this an extremely easy tutorial to follow and have used your pattern to make a bag for my friend. I'm now using it again to make another one for a different friend. I was also so happy to see that you're a following of the Lord Jesus Christ, I am too :-). I was so encouraged to see your page sharing your faith and encouraging others to read the Bible. Love and Blessings, Damola Hawkes :-)

Hi, KF! This bag was used as the base for the Zakka Style bag, only the Zakka bag includes all-the-way-around outside pockets with pen/pencil holders, more inside pockets, adjustable strap, and the flap design.

And, I thought I'd mention in case you were thinking of buying the book, there is an error in the instructions for the bag so see this page for the bag errata: http://mmmcrafts.blogspot.com/2012/03/zakka-style-errata.html

Hi. Thank you for the awesome tutorial! I have a question about the flap. How many inches does it actually hang down over the edge of the top of the bag? My design (dr who themed) (the tardis) needs to be completely visible from the front and not on top of the bag.

Hey, Danielle,First of all you HAVE to share a picture of your awesome TARDIS bag when it's finished! Please? Secondly, I'd estimate that the first 3 inches of the bag flap will be on the top/back of the bag, maybe a bit more if the bag is stuffed full. It should be OK to start your design after that.

I was pregnant with my son when you wrote this fantastic tutorial; today is his fifth birthday and as soon as I've come out of my cake coma, I'mma make one for him and one for a friend of his! Thanks!!

Hi there! Love your tutorial on the messenger bag, very easy and well understood as I have only just started to sew again as my partner bought me a new machine recently so I am crazy sewing instead of crazy crocheting lol. I will show pics when I have made a few more, maybe link you to my fb group page where i show off all my work as I dont have a website yet Thanks for providing me with the motivation to get sewing again for providing such and easy and informative tutorial :)

Hello. Enough about me. Let's hear from you! If you have a question, I answer with a reply comment, so be sure to click the 'subscribe by email' link as you post your question to receive the answer via email. Thanks!

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Follower of Christ, wife of my hero, mom to two crazy girlies, home school teacher, graphic designer, paper cutter, sewing junkie, and voracious reader. I'm addicted to all things artsy and craftsy. And coffee.

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